LNAT essay way over word limit
Hello,
I am a current IB student applying internationally to the UK from an english speaking country. I am predicted A*A*B with an overall 40/45 and just took the LNAT.
My dream school is UCL for law and I almost exactly meet their MINIMUM acceptance requirements. 4/5 of my UCAS schools, including UCL, require the LNAT, which I think I totally bombed.
I know the MCQ section was okay but not great (I’m estimating ~28/42) but the problem was my essay. It was well written, content and style wise (predicted 7 in IB english literature HL) but way over the word count. By which I mean it was 1100 words. I know the max was 750, how badly did I mess up? I also know that UCL is known to put more weight on the essay.
Should I still apply for law and write a law personal statement if almost all my schools require LNAT score/essay and my mcq wasn’t good enough to make up for my overly long essay? I want to just reaffirm that I believe my essay was good but just extremely long.
Is it safer for me to / should I apply as an English major instead?
I am a current IB student applying internationally to the UK from an english speaking country. I am predicted A*A*B with an overall 40/45 and just took the LNAT.
My dream school is UCL for law and I almost exactly meet their MINIMUM acceptance requirements. 4/5 of my UCAS schools, including UCL, require the LNAT, which I think I totally bombed.
I know the MCQ section was okay but not great (I’m estimating ~28/42) but the problem was my essay. It was well written, content and style wise (predicted 7 in IB english literature HL) but way over the word count. By which I mean it was 1100 words. I know the max was 750, how badly did I mess up? I also know that UCL is known to put more weight on the essay.
Should I still apply for law and write a law personal statement if almost all my schools require LNAT score/essay and my mcq wasn’t good enough to make up for my overly long essay? I want to just reaffirm that I believe my essay was good but just extremely long.
Is it safer for me to / should I apply as an English major instead?
Reply 1
Original post
by novaesupraHello,
I am a current IB student applying internationally to the UK from an english speaking country. I am predicted A*A*B with an overall 40/45 and just took the LNAT.
My dream school is UCL for law and I almost exactly meet their MINIMUM acceptance requirements. 4/5 of my UCAS schools, including UCL, require the LNAT, which I think I totally bombed.
I know the MCQ section was okay but not great (I’m estimating ~28/42) but the problem was my essay. It was well written, content and style wise (predicted 7 in IB english literature HL) but way over the word count. By which I mean it was 1100 words. I know the max was 750, how badly did I mess up? I also know that UCL is known to put more weight on the essay.
Should I still apply for law and write a law personal statement if almost all my schools require LNAT score/essay and my mcq wasn’t good enough to make up for my overly long essay? I want to just reaffirm that I believe my essay was good but just extremely long.
Is it safer for me to / should I apply as an English major instead?
I am a current IB student applying internationally to the UK from an english speaking country. I am predicted A*A*B with an overall 40/45 and just took the LNAT.
My dream school is UCL for law and I almost exactly meet their MINIMUM acceptance requirements. 4/5 of my UCAS schools, including UCL, require the LNAT, which I think I totally bombed.
I know the MCQ section was okay but not great (I’m estimating ~28/42) but the problem was my essay. It was well written, content and style wise (predicted 7 in IB english literature HL) but way over the word count. By which I mean it was 1100 words. I know the max was 750, how badly did I mess up? I also know that UCL is known to put more weight on the essay.
Should I still apply for law and write a law personal statement if almost all my schools require LNAT score/essay and my mcq wasn’t good enough to make up for my overly long essay? I want to just reaffirm that I believe my essay was good but just extremely long.
Is it safer for me to / should I apply as an English major instead?
AIUI, the LNAT system will delete the last 350 words of your essay, and so only about two thirds of the essay will be seen by whomever reads it. Therefore, exceeding the word limit by so large a margin was not a good idea. In general, it is important to follow the rubric in every type of exam. Do what the examiners ask you to do.
Reply 2
I suggest that you apply to study whichever subject you most wish to study. If that subject is law, bear in mind that many of the universities which offer law degrees don't use the LNAT for admissions. You might wish to select non-LNAT universities for two or three of your five choices.
If, however, you wish to study English, apply to study English.
UK universities tend not to use the "major/minor" system used in the US and elsewhere. There are various degrees in English, sometimes paired with other subjects.
If, however, you wish to study English, apply to study English.
UK universities tend not to use the "major/minor" system used in the US and elsewhere. There are various degrees in English, sometimes paired with other subjects.
Reply 3
Original post
by novaesupraHello,I am a current IB student applying internationally to the UK from an english speaking country. I am predicted A*A*B with an overall 40/45 and just took the LNAT. My dream school is UCL for law and I almost exactly meet their MINIMUM acceptance requirements. 4/5 of my UCAS schools, including UCL, require the LNAT, which I think I totally bombed.I know the MCQ section was okay but not great (I’m estimating ~28/42) but the problem was my essay. It was well written, content and style wise (predicted 7 in IB english literature HL) but way over the word count. By which I mean it was 1100 words. I know the max was 750, how badly did I mess up? I also know that UCL is known to put more weight on the essay.Should I still apply for law and write a law personal statement if almost all my schools require LNAT score/essay and my mcq wasn’t good enough to make up for my overly long essay? I want to just reaffirm that I believe my essay was good but just extremely long. Is it safer for me to / should I apply as an English major instead?
Reply 4
Original post
by daminahtrixhey, i just did my lnat exam and went over too. i did about 890 words - did this affect you getting intoUCL as i’ve also applied there for law?? please let me know x
whatever you wrote over 750 words will be automatically deleted and your LNAT unis will not be able to see this. The basics of the LNAT essay is knowing the maximum amount of words to write, I am surprised this mistake is being made
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- Lnat 2025
- LNAT Essay Structure
- LNAT Preparation
- LNAT cut off at kcl
- Dueham and Bristol offers
- LNAT candidates 2024 (for 2025 entry)
- I got a 35 in the LNAT. Ask me anyting
- Oxbridge LNAT Section B Help
- LNAT Section B
- Lnat tips??
- LNAT feeling vs results
- Lnat.
- Lnat help- anyone who has done lnat
- Durham Law Applicants 2025
- Any advice for the LNAT?
- LNAT
- LNAT 2025: Arbitio discussion
- I will succeed no matter what!!! - Y13 GYG 🍓
- Are LNAT cut offs real
- LNAT preparation method/tuition/coaching/platform
Latest
Trending
Articles for you
How The Student Room is moderated
To keep The Student Room safe for everyone, we moderate posts that are added to the site.
